One of our colleagues here at the Post-Dispatch got an unusual telephone call at his Ballwin home this morning, before heading off to work.

We’ll let his e-mailed account to yours truly speak for itself:

“This morning I got a call at home. The caller ID said it was from an unknown name.

“It turned out to be a political message, someone saying they were running for state rep, that Jim Talent is going to endorse him at ‘Ballwin point’  (Actually, “The Pointe at Ballwin Commons,” but I could figure that out) on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“Only …

“HE DOESN’T GIVE HIS NAME.

“I called the Pointe. The person didn’t know who the event is for. They asked around and said the best they could tell me is that the reservation was in the name of Dolan….”

(Actually, the event is for state House candidate Shamed Dogan, and has been reported earlier here on Political Fix.)

In any event, my colleague had a suggestion for automated political messages:

“1) Give your name.

“2) Give your name again.

“3) At the end of your message, re-state your name.

“4) People can’t vote for you if they don’t know your name.”

Just passing this on…

UPDATE: Someone sent his message to my cell phone, saying that Dogan’s name is in the ad. 

But like my colleague above, I did NOT hear Dogan’s name. I’m guessing that it was at the very beginning and that the recording inadvertantly skips over the name as it kicks on.